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Mai Chen
Founding Partner
Mai Chen is a founding partner of Chen Palmer NZPLS, Barristers and Solicitors, Australasia’s first public law specialist firm, which she co-founded in 1994.
Jim Castiglione
Partner
Jim Castiglione is a core Public Law expert, he also advises clients on Employment Law matters, including health and safety rights and obligations.
Nick Russell
Principal - Litigation
Nick Russell has practised law since 1997 and has a LLB(Hons) from the University of Auckland. He is an experienced public law litigator who has appeared as counsel in a range of key cases at the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Privy Council.
Marina Matthews
Principal - Education
Marina heads the firm's Education team and co-leads the Working with Government team. She has significant Parliamentary experience and has been a specialist advisor to several Education Ministers. She has experiece in a range of public policy processes including the preparation of Cabinet papers, briefing Ministers, and preparing for Select Committees.
Nicholai Anderson
Principal - Public Law
Nicholai Anderson has an LLM (with first class honours) from Victoria University and an LLB from Canterbury University. He has held a number of different positions in an eight year stint at the Ministry of Justice and his breadth of experience gives him invaluable inside knowledge of the workings of the Judicial, Executive and Legislative branches of government.
Baden Vertongen
Principal - Māori Law
Baden Vartongen is the Principal and is in charge of the Māori Legal and Corporate Governance Team, Baden has significant experience in Treaty of Waitangi settlement negotiations and post-settlement issues for Māori.
Dani Gardiner
Senior Associate
Dani Gardiner is an experienced commercial lawyer who brings further commercial litigation experience to Chen Palmer's busy Public Law Team.
Sam Carpenter
Senior Associate
Samuel Carpenter specialises in Waitangi Tribunal and Treaty matters, in public law litigation issues , and in the interface between public law and commercial issues for clients.
James Dunne
Senior Associate - leader Parliament Team
James has valuable inside knowledge of how Parliament works in New Zealand. He specialises in law reform and strategic public law and is an expert in the regulation of new psychoactives, legal highs and party pills.
Kiri Allan
Intermediate Associate
Kiri (Ngati Ranginui/ Ngai te Rangi/ Tuwharetoa) graduated with a LLB/ BA (Political Science) in 2010 from Victoria University of Wellington. Prior to joining Chen Palmer, Kiri was employed by the Ministry of Justice as a Judges’ Research Counsel
Yue Wang
Intermediate Associate
Yue Wang is an experienced lawyer with a particular focus on support Chinese Businnes growth and development. She has an LLB from the University of Canterbury. Yue will be joining Chen Palmer in April 2013.
Kate Yesberg
Associate
Kate has a LLB(Hons)/BA (Anthropology). During her time at university she was a tutor of both law and anthropology and a research assistant.
Conrad Reyners
Associate
Conrad Reyners has a Bachelor of Laws specialising in human rights, international law and judicial review. He has a first-class honours in International Relations, and a BA majoring in political science.
Stephanie Wright
Associate
Stephanie has recently completed her Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in German and International Relations) at Victoria University of Wellington.
Sarah Wilson
Associate
Sarah Wilson recently graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (with First Class Honours) and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Political Science and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington.
Alice Krzanich
Associate
Alice Krzanich completed a Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History at the University of Auckland.
George McLellan
Associate
George McLellan has recently completed a LLB at the University of Canterbury, specialising in Public International Law and the Treaty of Waitangi
Keitaria Haira
Associate
Keitaria (Ngāti Wahiao, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangiteaorere) graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Te Reo Māori, Anthropology) in 2011.
Jessica Braithwaite
Associate
Jessica graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Classical Studies and Political Science from Victoria University of Wellington
Rachel Hyde
Law Clerk
Rachel Hyde is completing a Bachelor of Laws (honours) at Victoria University of Wellington specialising in human rights, international law and environmental law.
Max Hardy
Law Clerk
Max is due to graduate in May with an LLB (Hons) with First Class Honours. His study focused on public law, especially local authority, human rights and international law.
Ana Lenard
Summer Clerk
Ana Lenard is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Geography and Psychology at the University of Auckland.
Jennifer Kerr
Employment Consultant
Jenifer Kerr is one of the most experienced HR Executives in New Zealand having been Group HR Director of Fonterra - a global leading high profile organisation with over 17,000 employees.
Denise O'Connor
Admin Support
Denise provides day-to-day administrative support for Chen Palmer lawyers.
Lisa Martin
Financial Controller
Lisa Martin manages the financial administration and accounting software for our business. Fundamentally she ensures our debtors keep…
Socrates
Company mascot
Socrates is an extremely friendly but very hungry dog. She loves scratches behind her ears and anything edible.
